Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

What is extent of father's rights?

I have a 4 year old son with a man who I never married. He has always paid either my car payment ($500) or $600 per month for child supprt. This support is not court-ordered just something that was agreed upon. We have an amicable relationship for the sake of the child. We both lived in Miami where he would see his son every weekend. I have now moved to Jacksonville (job purposes). I would like to know what visitation rights he has at this point? I have told him he can see his son as many times as he wants in Jacksonville. He wants to see him every 15 days where he would pick him up, take him down to Miami, and I would drive down on Sunday to pick him up and drive him back to Jacksonville. I feel this is too burdensome for me. I would like to know what visitation rights he has at this point? Do I have any legal obligations towards him? What are my rights?

Thank you in advance.


Asked on 6/20/05, 5:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
WENDY HAUSMANN LAW OFFICES OF WENDY A. HAUSMANN

Re: What is extent of father's rights?

First of all, you should probably file a Petition to Establish Paternity and for Child Support. The forms can be located online (flcourts.org) if you want to try to go ahead by yourself. If he files a counter-Petition for visitation, you will likely have to go to mediation to try to work it out before the court will have a hearing. Mediation is the time to try to find an amicable resolution if you haven't done so already by that point. Because I do not practice in Miami courts, I cannot advise you as to what visitation the court will order...I am hopeful another attorney will respond to your question and provide info on that part of it. Much luck.

Wendy A. Hausmann, Esquire

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Answered on 6/22/05, 8:49 pm


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